Class 03 Shunter

Mike Lee · Apr 17 2022 11:45

I'm quite new to G3. I have some drawings from the 'Locomotive Design Co' for a class 03 Diesel shunter that I think might make a nice engine to start with. Maybe someone is familiar with the design. The drawings specify a 7.2V Motor driving a Worm and Wheel type gearbox. I'm wondering if it would be better to use an axle mounted motor/gearbox. I notice Slaters do a motor/Gearbox with a 50:1 reduction. Problem is the Motor is 24V. So I would have to use 2 SLA batteries. Maybe a gearbox from Apple Tree Railway would be suitable? They are only 12V.

Could I have some advice on what is a suitable Motor/gearbox. Wheels are 48mm over the Tread.

keith Bristol · Apr 17 2022 13:05

Mike

Welcome, I used a slaters g3 Gearbox and motor in mine.
24v but run at 15 to 18 v so as to use dcc sound card.
It's an easy model to make.
Keith

IanT · Apr 17 2022 13:13

The Slaters G3 Motor/Gearbox is very nicely made Mike, albeit quite expensive.

I will admit to being puzzled about their selection of a 24V motor, given the almost universal use of battery-electric power in G3 these days. The use of 24v for garden railways was much more common in the very early days of Garden Railways when using track pick-up (and before battery tech improved beyond lead acid). In fact the only 24v based G3 garden railway I can recall was probably at Sileby and that track used stud-contact (not 2-rail). Stud contact gave very reliable running and was great for mixing electric (track pick-up) stock with any with non-insulated axles (e.g. live steam engines) but is never going to be mainstream again.

I'd have a chat to Tim (at Apple Tree) about his HP unit. The 03 Shunter uses a jack-shaft and you may be able to gear it down a bit more. Presumably, high speed is not an issue? An alternative might also be to use a commercial DC geared-motor unit with a simple bevel-box to 90 degree the final drive.

Regards,

IanT

keith Bristol · Apr 18 2022 17:13

I have a set of metal 03 footplate and buffers beams going spare

Mike Lee · Apr 18 2022 19:08

Quote from: keith Bristol on Apr 18 2022 17:13I have a set of metal 03 footplate and buffers beams going spare

Keith I would be interested in the Footplate and Buffer Beams.

Could i ask you how the Louvres on the sides of the body can be made. I have been thinking about how to make them.

keith Bristol · Apr 23 2022 07:40

Hi

Someone else has grabbed the frames but I can send you a cad file that model engineers laser can cut for a few pounds..

I 3d printed mine so you may want to head to marathon models to help out.
In fact that's not such a bad idea for all bits
Keith

Peaky 556 · Apr 23 2022 21:35

Hello Mike, I've only just noticed this thread so thought I'd better reply as the Apple Tree Railway name was mentioned. The gearboxes I supply at the moment are spur-geared and don't have the super-low ratios that are ideal for a shunter. I am developing a narrow gearbox unit with 37:1 ratio and motor suitable for 12-18v, but it might not make the AGM next month. Alternatively I am using a lovely little worm-drive gearbox from Walsall Model Eng in a Sentinel shunter, and this works very well on a power supply of only around 7-9V (sorry can't remember the figure at the mo). This uses a very solid 5-pole motor with a ballraced shaft, not powerful but perfectly adequate with the low gearing.
Hope this helps,

Mike Lee · Apr 29 2022 18:57

Quote from: keith Bristol on Apr 23 2022 07:40Hi

Someone else has grabbed the frames but I can send you a cad file that model engineers laser can cut for a few pounds..

I 3d printed mine so you may want to head to marathon models to help out.
In fact that's not such a bad idea for all bits
Keith

Thanks Keith. I've already sent the files to MEL.

Mike Lee · Apr 29 2022 19:04

Quote from: Peaky 556 on Apr 23 2022 21:35Hello Mike, I've only just noticed this thread so thought I'd better reply as the Apple Tree Railway name was mentioned. The gearboxes I supply at the moment are spur-geared and don't have the super-low ratios that are ideal for a shunter. I am developing a narrow gearbox unit with 37:1 ratio and motor suitable for 12-18v, but it might not make the AGM next month. Alternatively I am using a lovely little worm-drive gearbox from Walsall Model Eng in a Sentinel shunter, and this works very well on a power supply of only around 7-9V (sorry can't remember the figure at the mo). This uses a very solid 5-pole motor with a ballraced shaft, not powerful but perfectly adequate with the low gearing.
Hope this helps,

Hi Tim. Sorry for the delay. I have been away. You have answered my question. I will look into the Walsall gearbox.

Mike.

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